05-26-15 Meeting Minutes

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: May 26, 2015
PLACE:  Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE:  BRECA Steering Committee Meeting

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Lori Christensen
Kelly Cohen
Bonnie Domeny
Rene Hamlin
Gay Jones
Jim Morgan
Rick Sloan
Andrea White

1. Welcome from Chair Gay Jones
2. Minutes for March 2015
   Andrea White made a motion to approve the draft minutes for March 2015.  Rene Hamlin seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Election Results
   Jim Morgan distributed a handout from Joe O’Connor with the results of the Steering Committee election.  The candidates that were elected were Lori Christensen, Kelly Cohen, Bonnie Domeny, Rene Hamlin, Gay Jones, Carmen Mitchell, Jim Morgan, Celia Rasmussen, and Andrea White.  They will take office at the next Steering Committee meeting in June.  Gay Jones thanked Joe for his work in counting the votes.
4. Updates
   1. By-Laws
      Gay Jones enquired as to the state of the By-Laws Review Committee.  There are some issues of implementation that could be looked at, such as whether we really need two signatures on BRECA reimbursement checks.  Jim Morgan stated that there needs to be a focused committee goal of working on the section that pertains to Steering Committee elections.  Kelly Cohen proposed that there should be a committee of three or four people, that she wants to be chair, and that Jim Morgan not be on the committee.  Gay Jones commented that there is a need for institutional memory on the committee.  Bonnie Domeny stated that the last committee was disbanded, and that Jaime Gurevich was chair, who is no longer coming to meetings.  Kelly Cohen stated that she thinks that only one person from a family should be on the Steering Committee at one time.  Jim Morgan stated that if an elections focused committee is to be formed, Gay Jones, Rene Hamlin, and himself would be good members because each has more experience with elections.  After some further discussion, it was pointed out that there will be a new Steering Committee taking office next month.  It was agreed to continue the discussion at the next meeting.
      
      
   2. Website
      Kelly Cohen stated that the BRECA website is now using the “Cleverdot” web host, but that the Website committee wants to change to “Word Press.”  Rene Hamlin commented that Cleverdot is not secure enough for what they want to do.  Jay Domeny commented that BRECA needs to retain the domain names, which will expire in two days.  A person from the audience commented that there are two issues here: the domain names, and the web host(s).  Gay questioned if the domain names had been renewed.  BRECA.org should be renewed on May 28, and BRECA.us on June 2.  Bonnie suggested that if Joe O’Connor would do the work, she would be willing to help.  She also stated that the host they want to use is “Dream Host.”  (Secretary’s note: Bonnie subsequently corrected that to “Site Ground.”)  Kelly suggested putting Gay Jones’ and Joe O’Connor’s names on the domains.  Kelly made a motion to have Bonnie Domeny and Gay Jones join Joe O’Connor (if he will) as contacts for the website.  Andrea White seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.
   3. Special Planning Areas (SPAs)
      Gay Jones reported that Tricia Stevens is now working on zoning and Special Planning Areas (SPAs) for Sacramento County. Gay commented that there were many SPAs, but most have dropped out, and the one around the Butterfield Light Rail station is still in existence. The initial Butterfield SPA proposed buildings 5 stories tall built next to Folsom Blvd. across from the Light Rail station. It also had a high rise residential structure in the parking lot at the Butterfield Light Rail station. Lori Christensen inquired if we should have Ms. Stevens come to a BRECA meeting. Gay responded that she recommends waiting for movement by the County.
      
   4. Recap of General Meeting
      Gay Jones stated that we all did a great job at the General Meeting last month. She has sent thank you notes to Don Nottoli and Chief Goold. Bonnie Domeny stated that she had sent thank you notes to the POP officer and Heidi Herrera.
   5. Treasurer’s Report
      Andrea White, BRECA treasurer, stated that the ending balance in the BRECA checking account is $3,527.69. She handed out a statement of expenditures versus budget.
   6.  From the Floor
      There were no updates from the floor.
5. Old Business
   1. From the Floor
      There was no old business from the floor.
6. New Business
   1. US ACE Proposals
      Jim Morgan reported that the Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft General Reevaluation Report (GRR) and corresponding environmental documents for the Sacramento area. There are four main parts to the GRR proposals: reinforcing the Pocket Area levee on the Sacramento River, widening the Sacramento weir to the Yolo Bypass, some work on small creeks in northern and southern parts of Sacramento, and a large amount of “erosion protection” work on the Lower American River. The last proposal includes some sort of rock protection for all parts of the left (south) bank levee that do not already have revetment, as well as some work on the right (north) bank. This would include the Mayhew-Gristmill levee area adjacent to the BRECA area.
      Two variations of erosion protection work are proposed. One would line the river bank with rock, with perhaps a bed of dirt for growing some trees near the waterline. The other is called a launchable rock trench. It would involve digging a large trench, for our area about 80 feet wide by 25 feet deep at the toe of the levee, filling it mostly with large rocks, and covering it with about three feet of dirt. The dirt could be revegetated with grasses, bushes, and small trees, but not the large oaks or black walnuts that are there now.
      Jim stated that he had reviewed the GRR and the engineering attachment on erosion protection and found that there was not an analysis of the need for the proposed erosion protection, but that the proposals rely on “expert opinion.” Jim wrote comments on the draft GRR and the erosion protection attachment, which were submitted under Save the American River Association (SARA) letterhead. He also made some comments on the environmental documents which were submitted as personal comments due to lack of time for review by SARA.
      Gay Jones noted that she had also sent general comments on the draft GRR and environmental documents, and had brought the proposals to the attention of Representatives Ami Bera and Doris Matsui. She also talked with Jeff Leatherman, head of County Parks, who advocates there be a policy of coordination at the local level.
      Jim commented that at this time there is not much to do, except wait for the Corps’ responses to comments on the draft GRR and environmental documents.
   2. E-mail Notifications: Metro Fire Camp, SMUD Information
      Gay Jones stated that there is going to be a Sacramento Metro Fire District Fire Camp July 7-10, that might be good to send out as e-mail to BRECA members. She also has been contacted by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) that wants to send out some information. There was general agreement that SMUD has other ways of contacting people, and that BRECA should not e-mail SMUD information to our members. Andrea White commented that the Cordova Park District has a similar problem, with lots of groups having camps. In the end, they decided not to publicize any of them. It was suggested that the camp could be put on the BRECA website. This was generally agreeable.
   3. Starthistle Project
      Gay Jones stated that BRECA had a yellow star thistle eradication project before, and asked if people want to do it again. In particular, it could be done this weekend. Carmen Mitchell stated that it needs to be done earlier before the thistles come out. There were no volunteers for this weekend. Gay suggested that people do it individually.
   4. From the Floor
      Gay Jones stated that when you see trash dumped on Folsom Blvd., please call 311.
      Chuck Peneda stated that he wants to work with The Utility Reform Network to oppose the proposed SMUD rate increase.
      Bonnie Domeny stated that she is having a meeting Thursday at her house to help start Neighborhood Watch groups.
      Rick Sloan stated that the Cordova Recreation and Park District (CRPD) is proposing to ask for a $68.02 per year per parcel assessment increase in the Park Maintenance, Recreation, and Improvement District (PMRID). He stated that it costs the district more to maintain the parks in the PMRID than the current assessment of $23.92 provides.
      Rick Sloan also reported that the proposed parking lot adjacent to the Larchmont Community Park has not yet been proposed as an agenda item for the CRPD Board.
7. Meeting adjourned.
   The next Meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting and will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at the Rancho Cordova Library.